The package rates have, for the last two years, come out mid-August.
If you have your heart set on a certain resort, you should call and book a room only reservation as soon as you decide on your resort.
You will be required to pay one night's stay as a deposit. The remainder is due upon check in. I have heard other say they have paid on a room only reservation a little at a tmie but I was told by Disney travel that you could not.
Once the package prices are published, you can call Disney travel. They will cancel your room only reservation and process the information required to refund your room only deposit. They will then turn around and book a package for you. You will have fourteen days to pay the $200.00 package deposit. My room only refund was processed in less than a week.
When you book a package, you can make payments online or by telephone. The minimum payment is $20.00. I am a seller on e-bay and have made more than 30 payments on my upcoming June, 2008 trip. No problems whatsoever.
Also, if a code comes out after you have booked your package, simply call Disney travel and they will apply the code to your package.
Hope this helps, Lisa